Borger closer to postseason
BORGER - Faced with yet another tough challenge, the Borger Lady Bulldogs took advantage of all the second chances they could get Friday.

Metro swimmers begin season in Lubbock
Many changes are in store for Stuart Vardaman when he hits the pool for the District 3-5A swimming and diving meet Saturday. But Vardaman hopes one thing remains the same - bringing home two gold medals.

Highland Park's Brown now AD; Welps new coach
The Highland Park school board on Wednesday night approved the move of Blair Brown to high school athletics director and assistant principal, and the promotion of Bryan Welps to head football coach.

Borger closer to postseason
BORGER - Faced with yet another tough challenge, the Borger Lady Bulldogs took advantage of all the second chances they could get Friday.

Lady Irish on verge of history
VEGA - Heading into Friday's District 2-1A Division I girls' basketball showdown, Shamrock had little tradition and almost no pedigree when compared to their Lady Longhorn opponents.

Highland Park's Brown now AD; Welps new coach
The Highland Park school board on Wednesday night approved the move of Blair Brown to high school athletics director and assistant principal, and the promotion of Bryan Welps to head football coach.

Lady Irish on verge of history
VEGA - Heading into Friday's District 2-1A Division I girls' basketball showdown, Shamrock had little tradition and almost no pedigree when compared to their Lady Longhorn opponents.

Metro swimmers begin season in Lubbock
Many changes are in store for Stuart Vardaman when he hits the pool for the District 3-5A swimming and diving meet Saturday. But Vardaman hopes one thing remains the same - bringing home two gold medals.

2 become 'transplant twins'
When Bonnie and Ron Bjork temporarily relocated from Amarillo to St. Louis in October in anticipation of a lung transplant for Bonnie Bjork, they moved into an apartment building that housed other patients waiting for a transplant. PM

Horses aid in search for escapee
Human-sniffing dogs from the William P. Clements Jr. Unit and officials on horseback began searching Thursday on land north of Amarillo to try and hunt down Larry Allen Blackburn, who escaped from the Potter County Detention Center in October.

Jury awards no damages in singer's lawsuit
An Amarillo jury, in a split decision Thursday, said both a 1960s rock 'n' roll star and the city of Amarillo are at fault for injuries the recording artist suffered at a 1995 concert at the Civic Center.

Hess to get Medal of Art Award
AUSTIN - An acclaimed Amarillo instructor and director of dance has been named to receive a Medal of Art Award from the Texas Cultural Trust.

Horses aid in search for escapee
Human-sniffing dogs from the William P. Clements Jr. Unit and officials on horseback began searching Thursday on land north of Amarillo to try and hunt down Larry Allen Blackburn, who escaped from the Potter County Detention Center in October.

Amarillo Machinery opens new facility
After operating out of a 13-by-32 foot temporary office building for its first year of existence, Amarillo Machinery Co. is moving into more spacious quarters today.

Two men rob motel guests
Two men entered a motel room Thursday morning, demanding drugs from the two women inside, according to an Amarillo Police Department release.

Police eye suspect's alleged outings
CLOVIS - A suspect who was shot Oct. 31 by a Clovis Police Department detective after he aimed a loaded gun at the officer remains paralyzed from the chest down and has been moved to a local nursing home, 9th Judicial District Attorney Randall Harris said.

Dawkins looks to court for evidence from Wood
Pattilou Dawkins, defending herself in the $3 million libel lawsuit brought by Randall County Judge Ted Wood, is asking for a hearing to force Wood to produce evidence in the case.

Reunion Roundup
Amarillo High School Class of 1971 will have a planning meeting at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at 6023 Hanson Road.

TPMHMR chief urges board to push lawmakers for funding
It would take six years in appropriations of at least $265 million each year to get Texas up to the national average in funding to compete with what other states spend on their mental health and mental retardation clients, according to mental health and mental retardation officials.

Two men rob motel guests
Two men entered a motel room Thursday morning, demanding drugs from the two women inside, according to an Amarillo Police Department release.

Two arrested in robberies face new charges
CLOVIS - A Clovis man and a teen-ager who already are charged with multiple crimes in connection with several armed robberies now face additional felony charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brett Carter said.

Thornberry says Osprey will survive
The Osprey tilt-rotor program will survive three ongoing investigations into the aircraft's safety and reliability, U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon, said Thursday during an interview.

Hess to get Medal of Art Award
AUSTIN - An acclaimed Amarillo instructor and director of dance has been named to receive a Medal of Art Award from the Texas Cultural Trust.

Lack of quorum stalls CISD action
The Canyon Independent School District board tabled discussion on the school calendar and the superintendent's evaluation because three members were absent from Thursday's meeting.

Cattlemen downplay mad cow quarantine
The quarantine of a herd of Texas cattle that might have eaten feed banned by rules designed to prevent mad cow disease in the United States just shows how well government protections on the food supply work, an industry official said.

Police eye suspect's alleged outings
CLOVIS - A suspect who was shot Oct. 31 by a Clovis Police Department detective after he aimed a loaded gun at the officer remains paralyzed from the chest down and has been moved to a local nursing home, 9th Judicial District Attorney Randall Harris said.

Bulletin Board
Deer hunters are using technology to bag their prey. Bill Gardner of Hampden, Maine, has come up with what he calls a digital deer call, according to the Associated Press. PM

Thornberry says Osprey will survive
The Osprey tilt-rotor program will survive three ongoing investigations into the aircraft's safety and reliability, U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon, said Thursday during an interview.

2 become 'transplant twins'
When Bonnie and Ron Bjork temporarily relocated from Amarillo to St. Louis in October in anticipation of a lung transplant for Bonnie Bjork, they moved into an apartment building that housed other patients waiting for a transplant. PM

Amarillo woman receives double lung transplant
Bonnie Bjork said she wasn't fearful prior to the surgery nine days ago which traded her ailing lungs for a pair of healthy ones. She'd suffered with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, a congenital lung disease, until she finally left her job about 14 months ago as a supervisor in the computer room at Anderson Merchandisers.

Lack of quorum stalls CISD action
The Canyon Independent School District board tabled discussion on the school calendar and the superintendent's evaluation because three members were absent from Thursday's meeting.

Cattlemen downplay mad cow quarantine
The quarantine of a herd of Texas cattle that might have eaten feed banned by rules designed to prevent mad cow disease in the United States just shows how well government protections on the food supply work, an industry official said.

Potter cash bag found
Investigators found a bag containing $93,000 in cash at a Potter County office last week and their criminal probe raises questions about how the county handles money from taxpayers who overpay their property taxes, an attorney involved in the case said Friday.

Fraud complaint names banker
Federal authorities filed a criminal complaint Friday against a man accused of defrauding the First National Bank of the Panhandle out of more than $51,000.

Bulletin Board
Deer hunters are using technology to bag their prey. Bill Gardner of Hampden, Maine, has come up with what he calls a digital deer call, according to the Associated Press. PM

Meetings set on Rails to Trails project
An advisory committee overseeing an enhancement project that converts parts of the abandoned railroad line into a linear park held its first meeting Thursday.

Dawkins looks to court for evidence from Wood
Pattilou Dawkins, defending herself in the $3 million libel lawsuit brought by Randall County Judge Ted Wood, is asking for a hearing to force Wood to produce evidence in the case.

Potter cash bag found
Investigators found a bag containing $93,000 in cash at a Potter County office last week and their criminal probe raises questions about how the county handles money from taxpayers who overpay their property taxes, an attorney involved in the case said Friday.

Jury awards no damages in singer's lawsuit
An Amarillo jury, in a split decision Thursday, said both a 1960s rock 'n' roll star and the city of Amarillo are at fault for injuries the recording artist suffered at a 1995 concert at the Civic Center.

TPMHMR chief urges board to push lawmakers for funding
It would take six years in appropriations of at least $265 million each year to get Texas up to the national average in funding to compete with what other states spend on their mental health and mental retardation clients, according to mental health and mental retardation officials.

Amarillo Machinery opens new facility
After operating out of a 13-by-32 foot temporary office building for its first year of existence, Amarillo Machinery Co. is moving into more spacious quarters today.

Amarillo woman receives double lung transplant
Bonnie Bjork said she wasn't fearful prior to the surgery nine days ago which traded her ailing lungs for a pair of healthy ones. She'd suffered with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, a congenital lung disease, until she finally left her job about 14 months ago as a supervisor in the computer room at Anderson Merchandisers.

Two arrested in robberies face new charges
CLOVIS - A Clovis man and a teen-ager who already are charged with multiple crimes in connection with several armed robberies now face additional felony charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brett Carter said.

Editorial: State Senate legislation would ensure justice
Under legislation filed by state Sens. Robert Duncan and Rodney Ellis, the guilt or innocence of the accused in Texas could be determined with almost certainty and remove much of the recent criticism directed at the state's criminal justice system.

Harrington: Federal judges already make enough money
AUSTIN - It might be somewhat suicidal for an attorney who spends much of his time in federal court to argue against a proposed salary hike for federal judges, recommended by Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court in his report to Congress. PM

Editorial: State Senate legislation would ensure justice
Under legislation filed by state Sens. Robert Duncan and Rodney Ellis, the guilt or innocence of the accused in Texas could be determined with almost certainty and remove much of the recent criticism directed at the state's criminal justice system.

Van Camp: Yes, since Ted, Jesse said 'no'
Pressure groups, both from the right and left, know how important to their pet causes is the enforcement structure that regulates, prosecutes and enforces laws pertaining to their issues. PM

Harrington: Federal judges already make enough money
AUSTIN - It might be somewhat suicidal for an attorney who spends much of his time in federal court to argue against a proposed salary hike for federal judges, recommended by Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court in his report to Congress. PM

Van Camp: Yes, since Ted, Jesse said 'no'
Pressure groups, both from the right and left, know how important to their pet causes is the enforcement structure that regulates, prosecutes and enforces laws pertaining to their issues. PM

Souper Bowl to raise money for hungry
The Souper Bowl of Caring, a grassroots faith-based drive led by youths to raise money for the hungry on Super Bowl Sunday, hopes to involve 15,000 congregations and raise $4 million this year.

Souper Bowl of Caring slated
The Souper Bowl of Caring, a grassroots faith-based drive led by youths to raise money for the hungry on Super Bowl Sunday, hopes to involve 15,000 congregations and raise $4 million this year. PM

Souper Bowl to raise money for hungry
The Souper Bowl of Caring, a grassroots faith-based drive led by youths to raise money for the hungry on Super Bowl Sunday, hopes to involve 15,000 congregations and raise $4 million this year.

Dissident Episcopalians convene first conference
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - The Episcopal church in America faces extinction unless it changes policies that some find too liberal, a leader of the dissident Anglican Mission in America said during the group's first conference last week. PM

Souper Bowl of Caring slated
The Souper Bowl of Caring, a grassroots faith-based drive led by youths to raise money for the hungry on Super Bowl Sunday, hopes to involve 15,000 congregations and raise $4 million this year. PM

Religion Briefs
Top Of Texas Quintet will be in concert from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Country Church, Big Texan Steak Ranch, 7700 E. Interstate 40. The group will present gospel music and testimonies. The public is invited.

Religion Briefs
Top Of Texas Quintet will be in concert from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Country Church, Big Texan Steak Ranch, 7700 E. Interstate 40. The group will present gospel music and testimonies. The public is invited.

Dissident Episcopalians convene first conference
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - The Episcopal church in America faces extinction unless it changes policies that some find too liberal, a leader of the dissident Anglican Mission in America said during the group's first conference last week. PM

BU's Smith leads changing of guard
While other Baylor athletic programs have struggled in recent years, Steve Smith has seen no such problems as head coach of the Bears' baseball team.

Woods one back at phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Andrew Magee recorded what was believed to be a PGA Tour first Thursday when he aced the par-4 17th hole in the first round of the Phoenix Open.

Big surprise: Nebraska favored to win Big 12
DALLAS (AP) - Nebraska is in an unusual position in the Big 12. The Cornhuskers are the preseason favorite in baseball, and the league's only top 10 team in the national polls.

Beilue: It's not wise to anger a future Hall of Famer
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Come on, Blyleven, let's see what you got. You want a piece of me? You want to throw the yaker, throw that sharp breaking curveball of yours, be my guest. Just don't hang it, my friend, trust me, don't hang it.

No. 7 Illinois rallies past Michigan, 55-51
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Illinois trailed Michigan for more than 33 minutes, but the Illini rallied late in the game and rode 18 points by Frank Williams to a 55-51 victory Thursday night over Michigan.

Sports Briefs
Eight metro high school soccer teams are scheduled to play today.

Sport Briefs
The Amarillo Baseball Chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials will host an umpire clinic Saturday at Caprock High School.

Parcells, Levy among Hall candidates
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Bill Parcells and Marv Levy, coaching rivals in the last Super Bowl played in Tampa 10 years ago, are among 15 finalists for Saturday's election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Announcer McGuire dead at 72
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Al McGuire, the charismatic New Yorker who coached Marquette to a national championship and later brought his streetwise lingo to the broadcast booth, died Friday at 72.

Announcer McGuire dead at 72
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Al McGuire, the charismatic New Yorker who coached Marquette to a national championship and later brought his streetwise lingo to the broadcast booth, died Friday at 72.

Beilue: It's not wise to anger a future Hall of Famer
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Come on, Blyleven, let's see what you got. You want a piece of me? You want to throw the yaker, throw that sharp breaking curveball of yours, be my guest. Just don't hang it, my friend, trust me, don't hang it.

Big surprise: Nebraska favored to win Big 12
DALLAS (AP) - Nebraska is in an unusual position in the Big 12. The Cornhuskers are the preseason favorite in baseball, and the league's only top 10 team in the national polls.

Sports Briefs
Eight metro high school soccer teams are scheduled to play today.

Parcells, Levy among Hall candidates
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Bill Parcells and Marv Levy, coaching rivals in the last Super Bowl played in Tampa 10 years ago, are among 15 finalists for Saturday's election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

No. 7 Illinois rallies past Michigan, 55-51
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Illinois trailed Michigan for more than 33 minutes, but the Illini rallied late in the game and rode 18 points by Frank Williams to a 55-51 victory Thursday night over Michigan.

Photoshop 6.0
If you are a serious graphics artist or, like this reviewer, if you mistakenly fancy yourself to be such a person, working with Adobe's top-of-the-line Photoshop can be such a delight that it's probably worth the money.

Photoshop 6.0
If you are a serious graphics artist or, like this reviewer, if you mistakenly fancy yourself to be such a person, working with Adobe's top-of-the-line Photoshop can be such a delight that it's probably worth the money.

Bivins touts tough curriculum
AUSTIN - High school students would be more likely to succeed in college with passage of a bill filed to make a tougher curriculum the standard in Texas high schools, said its Panhandle author on Thursday.

Commissioner outlines school problems
AUSTIN - Rapid growth in the state's suburbs, tackling the complex Robin Hood school finance system and failing charter schools are among the challenges in the state's education system, Texas Education Commissioner Jim Nelson said Thursday.

Family of six found in Lufkin shot to death
LUFKIN (AP) - An East Texas man shot his wife and four children to death while they lay in bed and then killed himself in an apparent murder suicide, authorities said Thursday.

Rural Caucus pushes growth, quality of life
AUSTIN - Raising the quality of rural life and rekindling economic growth will lead the agenda for the Rural Caucus of the 77th Legislature, leaders with the group said on Thursday.

Lubbock to stop treating prisoners
LUBBOCK (AP) - The public hospital where a state prisoner allegedly raped two nurses after taking them hostage in a treatment room is scrapping its contract with the Texas prison system and soon will stop handling inmates.

Dallas County prepares to house escapees
DALLAS - Dallas County Sheriff Jim Bowles didn't break a sweat when he found out the recently captured Texas prison escapees would be under his watch while awaiting murder trials.

Bill would permit deregulation delay
AUSTIN (AP) - Vowing to prevent Texas from an energy crisis like the one gripping California, a state lawmaker has filed a bill that would allow Texas officials to delay electric deregulation if they deem it necessary.

Cook sells pot-laced taquito to officer
THE COLONY (AP) - Police say they nipped a fast food prank in the bud, after a cook at a suburban Dallas restaurant was arrested for selling a marijuana-laced breakfast taquito to a police officer.

Hale Center bank now chartered as FNB West Texas
AUSTIN - The First National Bank West Texas, Hale Center, became the first national bank to convert to a state charter in 2001, Banking Commissioner Randall S. James, said in a press release.

Lubbock to stop treating prisoners
LUBBOCK (AP) - The public hospital where a state prisoner allegedly raped two nurses after taking them hostage in a treatment room is scrapping its contract with the Texas prison system and soon will stop handling inmates.

Critics: Time change untimely
EL PASO (AP) - Business groups and others are criticizing a plan by the Mexican government to alter daylight savings time for Ciudad Juarez, saying it would put the city out of sync with neighboring El Paso and create chaos for businesses.

Cook sells pot-laced taquito to officer
THE COLONY (AP) - Police say they nipped a fast food prank in the bud, after a cook at a suburban Dallas restaurant was arrested for selling a marijuana-laced breakfast taquito to a police officer.

Bivins touts tough curriculum
AUSTIN - High school students would be more likely to succeed in college with passage of a bill filed to make a tougher curriculum the standard in Texas high schools, said its Panhandle author on Thursday.

Rural Caucus pushes growth, quality of life
AUSTIN - Raising the quality of rural life and rekindling economic growth will lead the agenda for the Rural Caucus of the 77th Legislature, leaders with the group said on Thursday.

Commissioner outlines school problems
AUSTIN - Rapid growth in the state's suburbs, tackling the complex Robin Hood school finance system and failing charter schools are among the challenges in the state's education system, Texas Education Commissioner Jim Nelson said Thursday.

Family of six found in Lufkin shot to death
LUFKIN (AP) - An East Texas man shot his wife and four children to death while they lay in bed and then killed himself in an apparent murder suicide, authorities said Thursday.

Critics: Time change untimely
EL PASO (AP) - Business groups and others are criticizing a plan by the Mexican government to alter daylight savings time for Ciudad Juarez, saying it would put the city out of sync with neighboring El Paso and create chaos for businesses.

Dallas County prepares to house escapees
DALLAS - Dallas County Sheriff Jim Bowles didn't break a sweat when he found out the recently captured Texas prison escapees would be under his watch while awaiting murder trials.

Bill would permit deregulation delay
AUSTIN (AP) - Vowing to prevent Texas from an energy crisis like the one gripping California, a state lawmaker has filed a bill that would allow Texas officials to delay electric deregulation if they deem it necessary.

Hale Center bank now chartered as FNB West Texas
AUSTIN - The First National Bank West Texas, Hale Center, became the first national bank to convert to a state charter in 2001, Banking Commissioner Randall S. James, said in a press release.

Ex-con arrested after 27 years, changes in life
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) - Robert Burns had been out of prison 27 years - starting a painting business, raising five kids, and falling victim to stroke, heart attack and cancer - when his violent past popped out of a computer and jumped right into his face. PM

Panel recommends reparations for riot
TULSA (AP) - A state panel that recommended reparations last year for the 1921 burning of black Tulsa neighborhoods decided Friday to drive the point home to lawmakers.

Churches reach out to the Bushes
WASHINGTON - In their quiet way, Washington's churches are bidding for the new first family as Sunday worshippers, even if it means Secret Service agents lurking about and church members passing through metal detectors.

Pluto's planet status doubted
NEW YORK (AP) - One of the nation's leading science museums has quietly shaken up the universe by suggesting that Pluto is not necessarily a planet at all but just a lump of ice.

Investors play it safe
NEW YORK (AP) - Investors decided to stick with safer bets on Wall Street Thursday while they contemplated the future of earnings and the economy. The market bid blue chips higher, but cashed in recent gains in the battered tech sector.

PNM sees record year, new credit concerns
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Wholesale electricity sales drove Public Service Company of New Mexico's earnings to an all-time high last year, but California's power woes are causing credit concerns.

Police wait for DNA results on child's skull
SANTA FE (AP) - Authorities said Friday it will be at least a week before DNA work can be completed on a child's skull found in a rural part of northern California to determine whether it might be that of a missing Santa Fe boy.

Bush plan for help scrutinized
Even before unveiling a plan, President Bush is trying to defuse criticism of his proposal to shift certain government-funded assistance programs to religious institutions. PM

Satellite TV strikes against pirates
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - After years of playing cat-and-mouse with hackers, the nation's leading provider of satellite TV service struck back with an electronic attack so overwhelming that pirates are calling it "Black Sunday."

Diabetes increases, CDC says
Diabetes in the United States rose by about 6 percent in 1999 in what the government called dramatic evidence of an unfolding epidemic. PM

Serial killer gets life without parole
NEW YORK (AP) - A man tried to attack a convicted killer in a courtroom Friday as he was being sentenced to life in prison for murdering three teen-age girls and raping four others.

Advocates push stricter gun laws
SANTA FE (AP) - Child safety locks would be required on all guns sold by licensed gun dealers in New Mexico and gun owners would have to safeguard their firearms from minors under measures proposed by lawmakers Thursday.

Ten killed in Illinois interstate crash
JOLIET, Ill. - A Salvation Army van carrying family members to visit prison inmates crossed a highway median and collided with a tractor-trailer Friday, killing 10 people and injuring two others.

Brandon arraigned on murder charges
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - A man accused of gunning down a woman and two young boys in an upscale hotel room early this month was arraigned Friday on three counts of murder.

Quake death toll climbs to 2,000
AHMEDABAD, India - The most powerful earthquake to strike India in a half-century rocked the subcontinent Friday, killing more than 2,000 people, injuring 3,000 and leaving desperate survivors clawing through the rubble of collapsed buildings in search of loved ones.

At least 845 dead
NEW DELHI, India (AP) - The most powerful earthquake to strike India in more than half a century shook the subcontinent today, killing 845 people and burying others in the rubble of toppled homes, schools and office buildings. PM

Joker admits robbing banks
MACON, Ga. - Autographed portraits of Gallagher, Tommy Chong and dozens of other comics hang inside the Comedy Cafe. If the owners want to put up a picture of the club's latest sensation, they can always use his police mug shot.

Churches reach out to the Bushes
WASHINGTON - In their quiet way, Washington's churches are bidding for the new first family as Sunday worshippers, even if it means Secret Service agents lurking about and church members passing through metal detectors.

New president promises peace
KINSHASA, Congo - Congo's new president, sworn in Friday 10 days after the assassination of his father, vowed to renew this war-weary nation, promising free elections, a liberalized economy and the deployment of U.N. forces to oversee an often-ignored peace agreement.

Bush continues focus on education in school visit
WASHINGTON - President Bush promoted a cornerstone of his education package Thursday, telling teachers and parents at a school in a poor section of town that mandatory annual testing of students is "not a tool to punish but a tool to reward."

Firefighter fatally shot by police
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - A Bernalillo County firefighter was fatally shot by police in a supermarket parking lot after he pulled a gun from his sport-utility vehicle and fired at officers.

Governor's wife defends acceptance of cash gifts
OKLAHOMA CITY - First lady Cathy Keating said Friday she can understand how Oklahomans struggling with everyday bills might resent $240,000 in cash gifts to the Keating family, while saying she knew of no one who would turn down a legal chance to help their kids.

Governor blasts Clinton pardon of financier
WASHINGTON (AP) - West Virginia's Democratic governor, who as a member of Congress looked into the activities of fugitive financier Marc Rich, criticized President Clinton's term-ending pardon of Rich as "an awful message" to send to the public.

Diabetes increases, CDC says
Diabetes in the United States rose by about 6 percent in 1999 in what the government called dramatic evidence of an unfolding epidemic. PM

Joker admits robbing banks
MACON, Ga. - Autographed portraits of Gallagher, Tommy Chong and dozens of other comics hang inside the Comedy Cafe. If the owners want to put up a picture of the club's latest sensation, they can always use his police mug shot.

Officials: No signs of aid for escapees in breakout
CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. - The Texas prison fugitives apparently were not helped as they fled 800 miles to Colorado, bought, stole or traded at least three vehicles, and eluded a huge manhunt for six weeks, authorities said Thursday.

New president promises peace
KINSHASA, Congo - Congo's new president, sworn in Friday 10 days after the assassination of his father, vowed to renew this war-weary nation, promising free elections, a liberalized economy and the deployment of U.N. forces to oversee an often-ignored peace agreement.

Panel recommends reparations for riot
TULSA (AP) - A state panel that recommended reparations last year for the 1921 burning of black Tulsa neighborhoods decided Friday to drive the point home to lawmakers.

Brandon arraigned on murder charges
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - A man accused of gunning down a woman and two young boys in an upscale hotel room early this month was arraigned Friday on three counts of murder.

Pluto's planet status doubted
NEW YORK (AP) - One of the nation's leading science museums has quietly shaken up the universe by suggesting that Pluto is not necessarily a planet at all but just a lump of ice.

Ex-con arrested after 27 years, changes in life
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) - Robert Burns had been out of prison 27 years - starting a painting business, raising five kids, and falling victim to stroke, heart attack and cancer - when his violent past popped out of a computer and jumped right into his face. PM

PNM sees record year, new credit concerns
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Wholesale electricity sales drove Public Service Company of New Mexico's earnings to an all-time high last year, but California's power woes are causing credit concerns.

Bush plan for help scrutinized
Even before unveiling a plan, President Bush is trying to defuse criticism of his proposal to shift certain government-funded assistance programs to religious institutions. PM

Police wait for DNA results on child's skull
SANTA FE (AP) - Authorities said Friday it will be at least a week before DNA work can be completed on a child's skull found in a rural part of northern California to determine whether it might be that of a missing Santa Fe boy.

Satellite TV strikes against pirates
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - After years of playing cat-and-mouse with hackers, the nation's leading provider of satellite TV service struck back with an electronic attack so overwhelming that pirates are calling it "Black Sunday."

Super Bowl, Super Sell
NEW YORK - A year after a cast of dot-coms claimed nearly 40 percent of the commercials in TV's priciest program, CBS will have a more familiar lineup of advertisers on this Sunday's Super Bowl.

Serial killer gets life without parole
NEW YORK (AP) - A man tried to attack a convicted killer in a courtroom Friday as he was being sentenced to life in prison for murdering three teen-age girls and raping four others.

Advocates push stricter gun laws
SANTA FE (AP) - Child safety locks would be required on all guns sold by licensed gun dealers in New Mexico and gun owners would have to safeguard their firearms from minors under measures proposed by lawmakers Thursday.

At least 845 dead
NEW DELHI, India (AP) - The most powerful earthquake to strike India in more than half a century shook the subcontinent today, killing 845 people and burying others in the rubble of toppled homes, schools and office buildings. PM

Liberal's embattled mayor seeks another city term
LIBERAL, Kan. (AP) - Ivanhoe Love Jr. has had his share of extracurricular battles as the mayor of this southwest Kansas town. That's not stopping him from seeking another term on the city commission.

Cattle quarantined as Mad Cow precaution
DALLAS (AP) - Officials are testing 46 carcasses and some animal meal while about 1,000 head of cattle at a Texas feed lot are quarantined after questions were raised over whether the livestock may have been fed banned animal meal.

Ten killed in Illinois interstate crash
JOLIET, Ill. - A Salvation Army van carrying family members to visit prison inmates crossed a highway median and collided with a tractor-trailer Friday, killing 10 people and injuring two others.

Mideast negotiations resume in spite of violence
TABA, Egypt (AP) - Israeli and Palestinian negotiators made progress on defining the borders of a Palestinian state Thursday, as peace activists and supporters of hard-line leader Ariel Sharon yelled at each other from boats sailing off the coast of this Red Sea resort.

Quake death toll climbs to 2,000
AHMEDABAD, India - The most powerful earthquake to strike India in a half-century rocked the subcontinent Friday, killing more than 2,000 people, injuring 3,000 and leaving desperate survivors clawing through the rubble of collapsed buildings in search of loved ones.

Officials: No signs of aid for escapees in breakout
CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. - The Texas prison fugitives apparently were not helped as they fled 800 miles to Colorado, bought, stole or traded at least three vehicles, and eluded a huge manhunt for six weeks, authorities said Thursday.

Firefighter fatally shot by police
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - A Bernalillo County firefighter was fatally shot by police in a supermarket parking lot after he pulled a gun from his sport-utility vehicle and fired at officers.

Super Bowl, Super Sell
NEW YORK - A year after a cast of dot-coms claimed nearly 40 percent of the commercials in TV's priciest program, CBS will have a more familiar lineup of advertisers on this Sunday's Super Bowl.

Liberal's embattled mayor seeks another city term
LIBERAL, Kan. (AP) - Ivanhoe Love Jr. has had his share of extracurricular battles as the mayor of this southwest Kansas town. That's not stopping him from seeking another term on the city commission.

Investors play it safe
NEW YORK (AP) - Investors decided to stick with safer bets on Wall Street Thursday while they contemplated the future of earnings and the economy. The market bid blue chips higher, but cashed in recent gains in the battered tech sector.

Cattle quarantined as Mad Cow precaution
DALLAS (AP) - Officials are testing 46 carcasses and some animal meal while about 1,000 head of cattle at a Texas feed lot are quarantined after questions were raised over whether the livestock may have been fed banned animal meal.

Mideast negotiations resume in spite of violence
TABA, Egypt (AP) - Israeli and Palestinian negotiators made progress on defining the borders of a Palestinian state Thursday, as peace activists and supporters of hard-line leader Ariel Sharon yelled at each other from boats sailing off the coast of this Red Sea resort.

Bush continues focus on education in school visit
WASHINGTON - President Bush promoted a cornerstone of his education package Thursday, telling teachers and parents at a school in a poor section of town that mandatory annual testing of students is "not a tool to punish but a tool to reward."

Governor blasts Clinton pardon of financier
WASHINGTON (AP) - West Virginia's Democratic governor, who as a member of Congress looked into the activities of fugitive financier Marc Rich, criticized President Clinton's term-ending pardon of Rich as "an awful message" to send to the public.

Governor's wife defends acceptance of cash gifts
OKLAHOMA CITY - First lady Cathy Keating said Friday she can understand how Oklahomans struggling with everyday bills might resent $240,000 in cash gifts to the Keating family, while saying she knew of no one who would turn down a legal chance to help their kids.

Ford F-150 sales strong
Prestige Ford in Garland is still the top-selling F-150 pickup dealer in the United States after slipping by Galpin Ford in Southern California in the last few days of the sales year, officials said Wednesday.

Jeep Cherokee soon to be thing of the past
Sometime in mid-year, the last Jeep Cherokee will roll off the assembly line, and a classic sport utility vehicle - a direct descendant of the original Jeep - will be gone.

Jeep Cherokee soon to be thing of the past
Sometime in mid-year, the last Jeep Cherokee will roll off the assembly line, and a classic sport utility vehicle - a direct descendant of the original Jeep - will be gone.

Ford F-150 sales strong
Prestige Ford in Garland is still the top-selling F-150 pickup dealer in the United States after slipping by Galpin Ford in Southern California in the last few days of the sales year, officials said Wednesday.

Lady Buffs get useful experience
West Texas A&M's 100-46 victory against Texas Woman's University on Thursday may have looked like a yawner at first glance. But the Lady Buffs may have taken a step toward developing some depth.

Dongen's kick broke new ground
When David Bowie and Queen first cranked out the tune "Under Pressure," the only thing Tyler Dongen was listening to were the chimes hanging over his baby bed.

Buffs trying to keep streak alive
The last weekend of January is awfully late to be fighting inconsistency, but the West Texas A&M Buffaloes have struggled all season to string together championship-caliber performances.

Dongen's kick broke new ground
When David Bowie and Queen first cranked out the tune "Under Pressure," the only thing Tyler Dongen was listening to were the chimes hanging over his baby bed.

Lady Buffs get useful experience
West Texas A&M's 100-46 victory against Texas Woman's University on Thursday may have looked like a yawner at first glance. But the Lady Buffs may have taken a step toward developing some depth.

Buffs trying to keep streak alive
The last weekend of January is awfully late to be fighting inconsistency, but the West Texas A&M Buffaloes have struggled all season to string together championship-caliber performances.